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The Study of the Gospel According to John

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"John, last of all, seeing that the plain facts had been clearly set forth in the Gospels, and being urged by his acquaintances, composed a spiritual Gospel under the divine inspiration of the Spirit."
-St. Clement of Alexandria (b. circa AD150)

If the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) give us the bones and flesh of Jesus the Son of God in His earthly ministry then John's Gospel gives us the Spirit of Jesus, the promised Messiah who is God come in the flesh to redeem mankind. If the inspired writer is indeed St. John (a topic to be discussed in the introductory lesson), he views Christ's ministry from a unique prospective as one of the 12 chosen Apostles who were prepared by Jesus to lead the New Covenant Church. It cannot be denied that the sacred writer of the fourth Gospel's intimacy with Jesus was indeed unique. This intimacy is marked by the phrase he uses of himself repeatedly "...the disciple whom Jesus loved...", as well as by the accounts he gives of being chosen to be with Jesus at certain special and momentous events to include: leaning on Jesus breast at the Last Supper (John 13:23), Jesus' arrest and trial at the palace of the High Priest (John 18:15,16), his stand by the cross with Mary, Jesus' mother where Jesus commits her to his care (John 19:25-27), after the news of Jesus' Resurrection when he ran to the empty tomb with Peter and entering to tomb "...saw and believed" (John 20:2-8), and in the boat with Peter and other disciples on the Sea of Galilee where he is the first to recognize the risen Savior standing upon the shore (John 21:7). In this Gospel we see Jesus through the beloved disciple's eyes and the view is both tender and awesome.

To adequately prepare yourself for this study I encourage you to read the first 3 Gospel accounts: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author of the fourth Gospel expects that you are already familiar with the other accounts of Christ's ministry which have been, in St. Clement's words, "clearly set forth." Next, please consult the "Outline of St. John's Gospel" which follows this letter. You will notice that the Gospel divides neatly into 5 books. The Apostle Matthew's account of Christ's ministry also divides into 5 sections or "books". A number of Biblical scholars have suggested that this five-part division is deliberate on the part of the sacred authors and is reminiscent of the first 5 books of the Old Covenant (Hebrew) Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Outline also illustrates the continuity between the beginning of the Gospel with "Creation" and the end of the Gospel account with the "New Creation" in Christ's resurrection and the establishment of the New Covenant Church. Also please notice the importance of the Old Covenant Feast Days in the fourth Gospel. The cycle of feasts begins with the Passover Feast and ends with the last Passover and Christ's crucifixion. The other feast mentioned (twice) is the Feast of Tabernacles. These two feasts: Passover and Tabernacles comprise the beginning and end of the liturgical year (please consult the article "The Seven Sacred Feasts of the Old Covenant Church" found in the Charts and Handouts section).

Following the Outline I have included a bibliography of the majority of books used in this study of the fourth Gospel. If you wish to purchase a resource to use in addition to this class I recommend the Navarre Commentary - St. John's Gospel or the St. Ignatius Bible Commentary on St. John's Gospel, both of which are listed in the bibliography.

The classroom study begins September 4th, 2003. Each week (beginning with the September 11th class which will cover the questions of authorship and the date the Gospel was written) a new lesson/chapter will be added to the study. As always, please pray before beginning each lesson that God the Holy Spirit will instruct you in the truth of God's Holy Word.

Yours in Christ,
Michal Elizabeth Hunt
September 1, 2003

 

OUTLINE FOR THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN
BOOK 1 – THE PROLOGUE 1:1-1:18
C I. THE DIETY OF CHRIST 1:1,2
R II. THE PREINCARNATION OF CHRIST 1:3-5
E       A. He is the foundation of all life 1:3
A       B. He is the light 1:4
T       C. The darkness cannot overcome Him 1:5
I III. THE FORERUNNER OF CHRIST 1:6-8
O IV. THE REJECTION OF CHRIST 1:9-11
N V. THE ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST 1:12,13
  VI. THE INCAARNATION OF CHRIST 1:14-18
        A. The Word becomes flesh (v. 14)  
        B. John prophesizes Christ (v.15)  

BOOK 2 – THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD 1:19-4:54
JORDAN RIVER – JUDEA
THE FIRST WEEK
  I. THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD 1:19-34
DAY 1       A. John's witness to the Old Covenant authority 1:19-28
DAY 2       B. John's witness at Christ's baptism 1:29-34
  II. THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD TO JOHN'S DISCIPLES 1:35-51
DAY 3       A. The two disciples talk with Jesus 1:35-39
        B. Andrew and Peter talk with Jesus 1:40-42
DAY 4       C. Philip and Nathaniel talk with Jesus 1:43-51
  III. THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN THE GALILEE 2:1-12
DAY 7 GALILEE – Cana (3 days later)  
        A. The wedding at Cana 2:1-11
              1. The Woman and her Seed 2:1-5
              2. SIGN #1 (Old Covenant vs. New Covenant) 2:5-10
              3. The Disciples believe 2:11
A few days later GALILEE –Caperanum
      B. Jesus, Mary, His kinsmen and His Disciples		 2:12
JUDEA - JERUSALEM (Spring)  
P #1 IV. THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN JUDEA 2:13-3:36
A
S		       A. Jesus cleanses the Temple –
The prediction of the 3-day sign		 2:13-23
S       B. Jesus witnesses to Nicodemus 3:1-21
O       C. John the Baptist witnesses concerning Jesus 3:22-36
V    
E    
R    
Jesus in SAMARIA  
  V. THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN SAMARIA 4:1-42
        A. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman 4:1-26
        B. Jesus teaches His Disciples 4:27-38
        C. Jesus witnesses to Samaria 4:39-42
Jesus in GALILEE  
  VI. THE PRESENTATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN THE GALILEE 4:43-54
        A. Christ is received by the Galileans 4:43-45
  Cana and Capernaum  
        B. SIGN #2: Jesus heals the royal official's son 4:46-54

BOOK 3 – OPPOSITION TO THE SON OF GOD 5:1-12:50
JUDEA - JERUSALEM
U      F I. OPPOSITION IN JERUSALEM 5:1-47
N      E (pool of Bethesda, Jerusalem)  
N      A       A. SIGN #3 – Jesus heals the paralytic man 5:1-9
A      S       B. Jesus' homily/ Jews of Jerusalem reject Christ 5:10-47
M      T             1. Greater than John the Baptist 5:31-40
E
D		             2. Unbelief of the Jews 5: 41-47
Jesus in the GALILEE just before the Feast of PASSOVER #2  
  II. OPPOSITION IN THE GALILEE 6:1-71
        A. SIGN #4 – Christ feeds 5,000 men 6:1-14
        B. [private sign for the Apostles] – Christ walks on the water 6:15-21
        C. The Bread of Life Discourse - #1 "I AM the bread of life" (6:35, 41, 48, 51) 6:22-71
Jesus in JUDEA –JERUSALEM (Fall)  
T #2 III. OPPOSITION IN JERUSALEM 7:1-10:21
A
B		       A. Before the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus leaves the Galilee to travel to Jerusalem 7:1-13
E       B. The Middle of the Feast 7:14-36
R       C. The Last Day of the Feast 7:37-53
N       D. After the Feast 8:1-10:21
A             1. The Adulteress 8:1-11
C
L		             2. The Light of the World discourse - #2 "I AM the Light of the World" 8:12-59
E             3. SIGN #5 Healing of the man born blind 9:1-40
S             4. The Good Shepherd discourse - # 3 "I AM the Door of the sheep"; # 4 "I AM the Good shepherd 10:1-21
Winter IV. THE OPPOSITION CONTINUES IN JERUSALEM during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) 10:22-42
Jesus in BETHANY (near Jerusalem)  
  V. THE OPPOSITION AT BETHANY 11:1– 2:11
        A. SIGN #6: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead - #5 I AM the Resurrection and the Life" 11:1-44
Spring       B. The Pharisees plan to kill Jesus 11:45-57
Jesus in 6 Days BETHANY in JUDEA: THE LAST WEEK
before the PASSOVER FEAST 		 
        C. Jesus and the Apostles stay the night at Bethany 12:1-11
              1. Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus 12:3-8
              2. Crowds gather to see Jesus and Lazarus 12:9-11
Day # 5 VI. THE FINAL OPPOSITION AT JERUSALEM 12:12-22
Nisan 10       A. The King of Kings enters Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) 12:12-19
        B. The Hour has come! 12:19-22
 

BOOK 4 – THE PREPARATION OF THE DISCIPLES BY THE SON
OF GOD 12:23-17:26
Just before PASSOVER #3
THE LAST WEEK (first day of Passover is always Nisan 14)
P Days#4 - 2 I. THE MESSIAH TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE 12:23-50
A(Day 1) II. THE PREPARATION IN THE UPPER ROOM – Day #1 of Passover Week /the day of the sacrifice = Thursday daytime 13:1-14:31
S  Night 15 Nisan 13:1-20
  A. Jesus and the ritual of washing the Apostles' feet – the Passover feast & first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread 13:21-30
  B. Jesus announces His betrayal 13:21-30
S C. Jesus' last instructions to His Apostles #6 "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" 13:31-14:31
O III. THE PREPARATION IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE 15:1-17:26
V A. Jesus instructs the Apostles - #7 "I AM the True Vine" 15:1-16:33
E B. Jesus prepares for His crucifixion in His High Priestly prayer to the Father 17:1-26
R    
  Note: the Jewish day began at sundown therefore, the night of the  
(# 3) Passover Feast is already Friday Nisan 15 according to the Jewish  
  Calendar and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread  

BOOK 5 – THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF
THE SON OF GOD 18:1-21:25
Night I. THE REJECTION OF THE SON OF GOD 18:1-19:16
cont.       A. The arrest of Jesus 18:1-11
        B. The trials of Jesus 18:12-19:16
Dawn 1. Sanhedrin 18:12-27
Morning 2. Herodian king Lk 23:7-12
Morning 3. Roman governor 18:28-19:16
W II. THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE SON OF GOD 19:17-37
        A. Jesus' crucifixion 19:17, 18
E       B. Pilate's inscription 19:19-22
        C. The Roman soldiers cast lots 19:23-25
E       D. The gift of Mary to the Church 19:25-27
  E. The Last Cup and His last words 19:28-29
K F. Christ gives up His Spirit 19:30
Friday III. THE BURIAL OF THE SON OF GOD 19:31-21:25
3 days later IV. THE RESURRECTION OF THE SON OF GOD –The Feast of Firstfruits = Sunday (see Leviticus 23:23:9-11) 20:1-10
THE NEW V. THE APPEARANCE OF THE SON OF GOD 20:11-21:25
C A. to Mary Magdalene 20:1-18
R B. to 10 Apostles 20:19-25
E C. to 11 Apostles 20:26-30
A A few days later on the Sea of Galilee  
T D. to 7 Apostles 21:1-14
I E. Jesus' commission to Simon/Peter 21:15-23
O    
N VI. CONCLUSION 21:24, 25
 

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN

AGAPE BIBLE STUDY

  1. Homilies on the Gospel of St. John, St. John Chrysostom, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers vol. 14, (Hendrickson Publishers, 1988).
  2. Gospel of John, First Epistle of John, Soliloquies, St. Augustine, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7, (Hendrickson Publishers, 1988).
  3. The Gospel According to John, Raymond E. Brown, Anchor Bible vol. I-IV, (Doubleday, 1986).
  4. *St. John – Navarre Commentary (Four Courts Press, 1998).
  5. The Faith of the Early Fathers, William A. Jurgens editor, Vol. 1-III (Liturgical Press, 1970).
  6. The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel, Craig L. Blomberg (InterVarsity Press, 1984).
  7. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim (Hendrickson Publishers, 1993).
  8. More Than Conquerors: An interpretation of the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Baker House, 1939) pp 17ff for a list of similarities between Gospel and Revelation
  9. Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion, David Chilton (Ft. Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1985) pp62f John's use of numbers.
  10. Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius v.xxiv, Post-Nicene Fathers vol. 1,(Hendrickson Publications, 1988)
  11. *St. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of St. John, commentary by Dr. S.Hahn and C. Mitch, (St. Ignatius Press, 2002).
  12. The Works of Josephus, translated by William Whiston (Hendrickson Publishers, 1988).
  13. One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, Kenneth D. Whitehead (St. Ignatius Press, 2000)
  14. The Temple: Its Ministry and Services As They Where at the Time of Jesus Christ, Alfred Edersheim (Kregel Publishers, 1997 reprinted).
  15. The International Critical Commentary- St. John vol. 1-VIII (T&T Clark, Ltd. 1996)
  16. St. John's Prologue, Fr. M.E. Boismard (article from 1956)
  17. The Genius of St. John, Ellis
  18. Against Heresies, St. Irenaeus, Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 1,(Hendrickson Publishers, 1988).
  19. Sinai and Temple, Jon D. Levenson, (Harper-San Francisco, 1985).
* recommended to the class as a companion book to the course.

Michal Hunt, Copyright © 1998 Agape Bible Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.